BBC confirms Balamory is returning after 20 years with original favourites

After a hiatus of two decades, the beloved children's TV showBalamory is set to return, as confirmed by the BBC.

The final episode of Balamory aired back in June 2005, after a successful run of 253 episodes over three years on CBeebies.

Set on a fictional small island off the west coast of Scotland, the show centres around eight characters, each identifiable by their distinctive coloured clothing and matching house.

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Five of these original characters will be making a comeback in the revamped series, the BBC has confirmed, with the actors reprising their roles.

Julie Wilson Nimmo will be returning as Miss Hoolie, Andrew Agnew will reprise his role as PC Plum, Kim Tserkezie will once again play Penny Pocket, and Julie Cadzow will step back into the shoes of Edie McCredie, reports Wales Online.

The new series, set to air on BBC iPlayer and CBeebies next year, will blend the original characters with a host of new faces, offering preschoolers a fresh spin on the classic programme.

New additions to the cast include scientist Ava Potts (Danielle Jam), the Harbour Master (William Andrews), and local vet Dr Ollie (Carl Spencer).

At the heart of the show, the BBC assures, "remains the charming fictional town of Balamory and its lively inhabitants, where brightly-coloured houses cluster around a scenic harbour and life revolves around the nursery school and its caring teacher".

Filming is planned both in a Glasgow studio and on location in Tobermory, the Isle of Mull town that sparked the original series' charming backdrop.

Kate Morton, BBC Children's and Education's Head of Commissioning 0-6, expressed her excitement: "It's wonderful to see some of the original cast returning alongside new faces, creating a perfect mix of nostalgia and discovery for families to enjoy together. This vibrant new series will delight both children and the grown-ups who remember it fondly."

Fans can rejoice as two fresh series have been greenlit, each featuring ten 14-minute episodes. The narrative will continue to revolve around the nursery school and the tight-knit island community, with audiences eagerly anticipating its return to screens in 2026.

The brainchild behind Balamory is Brian Jameson, while Lion Television Scotland, part of All3Media, is handling production duties.

Lisa Hazlehurst steps up as the executive producer, Adrian Mead takes the helm as director, and Jacqueline Sinclair oversees the series as producer.

Original episodes of Balamory are available to watch on BBC iPlayer